Gerbera plant named &#39;UFGE 7023&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  Gerbera  plant particularly distinguished by having a novel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double yellow-orange flower color, an overall flower diameter of approximately 12.5 cm, a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter) containers, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Gerbera hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘UFGE 7023’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Gerbera hybrida plant named ‘UFGE 7023’. ‘UFGE 7023’ originated from a cross made at Wimauma, Fla. in 2006 between the female parent, ‘UFGE 5003’ (unpatented), and the male parent, ‘Sunburst Yellow’ (unpatented). ‘UFGE 7023’ was selected by the inventors from the progeny of the stated parentage in late 2007 at Wimauma, Fla. The first asexual reproduction of ‘UFGE 7023’ was accomplished when crown division was done in 2007 at Wimauma, Fla. Plants of ‘UFGE 7023’ have been asexually propagated by crown division and/or tissue culture for more than three generations. Asexually propagated plants of ‘UFGE 7023’ have remained true to the original selected plant, and all characteristics of the plant have been transmitted and retained through three successive asexual vegetative generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for. ‘UFGE 7023’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct variety of Gerbera plant is characterized by a novel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double yellow-orange flowers, an overall flower diameter of approximately 12.5 cm, a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter) containers. ‘UFGE 7023’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Its phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as light intensity, temperature, and day length. The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown at Wimauma, Fla. under normal horticultural practices in greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

1. Peduncle length of approximately 34 cm;

2. Semi-double flower type;

3. Yellow-orange (RHS 14A) ray florets;

4. Yellow-green (RHS 153D) color discs before opening of disc florets;

5. Yellow (RHS 13A) perianth lobe of disc florets;

6. Flower head diameter of approximately 12.5 cm; and

7. Moderate resistance to powdery mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Gerbera plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's form, flower head, and foliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a plant approximately 4 months old which was produced from one tissue culture liner and is potted in a 2.7-L container. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Gerbera.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit including flowers and foliage and is taken from a side perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the flower head.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the typical leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UFGE 7023’. The present botanical description is that of the variety at approximately 4 months old on Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. in a room under north light at Wimauma, Fla. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (1986 ed.), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Gerbera hybrida cv. ‘UFGE 7023’.         -   Common name.—Gerbera. -   Parentage: Female Parent: ‘UFGE 5003’ (unpatented) Male Parent:     ‘Sunburst Yellow’ (unpatented) -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower head.—Type: Semi-double Diameter: Large, approx. 125             mm Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters):             Yellow-orange (RHS 14A) Shape: Incurving funnel-shaped.         -   Involucre.—Height from point of attachment of involucre to             top of flower head: Short, approx. 14 mm Diameter: Small to             medium, approx. 30 mm Number of bracts: Medium, approx. 65             Color: Green (RHS 138A) Longitudinal axis of inner rows:             Straight Anthocyanin: Absent Pubescence: Very dense.         -   Inner ray florets.—Number: Medium, approx. 51 Shape: Narrow             obovate Longitudinal axis of outer row: Straight to             moderately reflexing Longitudinal axis of inner rows:             Moderately incurving to straight Longitudinal axis of ray             female floret: Straight.         -   Outer ray floret.—Cross section: Straight to convex Length:             Long, approx. 54 mm Width: Broad, approx. 10 mm Shape of             apex: Pointed to round Depth of incision: Absent to very             shallow Color (topside): Yellow-orange (RHS 14A) Color             (bottom side): Yellow (RHS 13B) Color distribution on inner             side: Uniform Edge of different color: Absent Striation:             Absent.         -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: Medium, approx. 26 mm.         -   Reproductive organs.—Style (main color of distal part):             Yellow (RHS 12C) Stigma (main color): Yellow (RHS 12C)             Anthers (main color): Yellow (RHS 9A) Color of top relative             to other parts: Lighter Longitudinal stripes: Absent             Intensity of anthocyanin coloration: Absent.         -   Pappus.—Main color: Yellow-white (RHS 158D) Color of top             relative to other parts: Same Level of top relative to             closed disc florets: Same, 1-2 mm in center.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, approx. 34 cm Tendency to             fasciation: Slight Thickness: Medium, approx. 7 mm Strength:             Medium Pubescence: Medium Color: Yellow-green (RHS 144B)             Anthocyanin coloration: At base: Very weak At top: Absent             Involucral bracts: Absent. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance.—Height: Approx. 42 cm, excluding any             flowers Width: Approx. 60 cm.         -   Foliage.—Leaf blade: Length: Long, approx. 24.5 cm Width:             Medium, approx. 14.5 cm Blistering: Weak Pubescence (On             upper side, midrib excluded): Sparse Depth of incisions in             leaf: Basal part: Deep Central part: Shallow Distal part:             Shallow Color: Upper side: Yellow-green (RHS 137A) Bottom             side: Yellow-green (RHS 138A) Glossiness on upper side:             Strong to medium Shape of apex: Rounded Petiole: Petiole             length: Medium, approx. 8.5 cm Color of petiole:             Yellow-green (RHS 144B) Petiole anthocyanin coloration:             Medium. -   Resistance to diseases: ‘UFGE 7023’ has been observed in multiple     experiments in which it was compared with two common commercial     cultivars, ‘Pensacola’ gerbera (unpatented) and ‘Bimini’ gerbera     (unpatented), for the incidence and severity of powdery mildew,     Podosphaera (syn. Sphaerotheca) fusca (Fr.) S. Blumer. ‘UFGE 7023’     has consistently been found to have a moderate level of resistance     to powdery mildew. In one experiment (Experiment 1), conducted in     Summer through Fall 2009 at Wimauma, Fla., tissue culture liners of     ‘UFGE 7023’, ‘Bimini’, and ‘Pensacola’ were transplanted on into     2.7-L containers filled with commercial potting mix amended with     controlled release fertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace     element fertilizer at the rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻³. Plants were grown     under a plastic tunnel within a screen house with approximately 45%     light exclusion. Fungicides were not applied throughout the     experiments to subject the plants to natural powdery mildew disease     pressures. In Experiment 1, the severity of powdery mildew on     gerbera leaves was assessed at week 8 after transplanting (Oct. 15,     2009), week 10 after transplanting (Oct. 29, 2009), and week 12     after transplanting (Nov. 12, 2009). A randomized complete block     design was used with eight replications. The experimental unit was a     single containerized plant. ‘UFGE 7023’ showed a moderate level of     resistance to powdery mildew in Experiment 1 (Table 1). ‘UFGE 7023’     remained to be more productive than ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ when     natural powdery mildew disease pressure existed (Table 1). No other     disease resistance characterizations have been made.

TABLE 1 Powdery mildew severity ratings and flower counts of ‘UFGE 7023’ and two commercial gerbera cultivars, ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’, grown under natural powdery mildew pressure in Experiment 1 (Summer through Fall 2009) in Wimauma, FL. PM Ratings^(Z) Cultivars Week 8 Week 10 Week 12 Flower counts^(Y) Experiment 1 (Summer through Fall 2009) UFGE 7023 1.0 4.3 6.0 3.5 Bimini 2.6 8.6 9.4 2.6 Pensacola 1.8 7.5 9.8 1.1 ^(Z)Powdery mildew severity was rated on a scale of 1 to 10 as described by Hausbeck et al. (2002): 1 = no disease, 2 = trace to 10%, 3 = 10% to 20%, 4 = 20 to 30%, 5 = 30% to 40%, 6 = 40% to 50%, 7 = 50% to 60%, 8 = 60% to 70%, 9 = 70% to 80%, and 10 = 80% to 100% of leaf surface covered with powdery mildew. ^(Y)Total number of flowers produced per plant over nine weeks from Sep. 25, 2009 to Nov. 20, 2009 in a screen house in Wimauma, FL

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND KNOWN CULTIVARS

‘UFGE 7023’ differs from the female parent ‘UFGE 5003’ (unpatented) by having yellow-orange ray florets and yellow-orange disc florets, as opposed to yellow ray florets and black disc florets, under growing conditions in Wimauma, Fla. ‘UFGE 7023’ differs from the male parent ‘Sunburst Yellow’ (unpatented) by having semi-double flowers, as opposed to single flowers, under growing conditions in Wimauma, Fla.

Comparisons were made with the commercial gerbera variety ‘Bimini’ (unpatented) and the commercial gerbera variety ‘Pensacola’ (unpatented). One experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Wimauma, Fla. under standard greenhouse management practices to evaluate the plant performance (days to flower, flower quality, flower count, and plant quality) of ‘UFGE 7023’ for container plant production in comparison to ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’. In this plant performance experiment (Experiment 2), tissue culture liners were transplanted on Dec. 9, 2008 into 2.7-L containers filled with commercial potting mix amended with controlled release fertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer at the rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻. Potted plants were grown on metal benches in a glass house and spaced 46 cm×46 cm apart. Temperatures inside the greenhouse ranged from 18° C. to 33° C. Two hours of additional photoperiodic lighting were provided between Dec. 9, 2008 and Mar. 17, 2009. Fungicides and insecticides were applied as needed to control powdery mildew and western flower thrips. Flower quality was rated on a 1 to 5 scale: 1=very poor, 3=fair, some blemishes, but acceptable, and 5=excellent, bright, uniform, and no blemishes. Flower counts were recorded weekly from Jan. 20, 2009 through Mar. 17, 2009. Plant quality was rated three times, on Jan. 20, 2009, Feb. 3, 2009, and Feb. 17, 2009, using a 1 to 5 scale: 1=few leaves or long petioles, container surface visible, very poor and unacceptable as flowering pot plants, 3=fair and marketable, and 5=excellent, full, symmetrical, attractive plants.

The experiment design for the plant performance experiments was a randomized complete block design with eight replications. The experimental unit was a single containerized plant.

‘UFGE 7023’ came into flowering 27.8 to 32.6 days earlier than ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ (Table 2). The flower quality ratings of ‘UFGE 7023’ were 3.7, acceptable but lower than that of both ‘Bimini’ (5.0) and ‘Pensacola’ (4.1) (Table 2). ‘UFGE 7023’ produced more flowers (260% more than ‘Bimini’ and 557% more than ‘Pensacola’) (Table 2). The plant quality ratings of ‘UFGE 7014’ were 4.5, higher than that of the controls (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Plant performance of ‘UFGE 7023’ and two commercial cultivars, ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ grown in Experiment 2 (Winter 2008 through Spring 2009) in Wimauma, Florida. Days to 1st open Flower Flower counts^(Z) Plant Cultivars flowers (no.) quality^(Z) (no.) quality^(Y) Experiment 3 (Dec. 9, 2008 to Mar. 17, 2009) UFGE 7023 36.2 3.7 7.8 4.5 Bimini 64.0 5.0 3.0 3.1 Pensacola 68.8 4.1 1.4 3.3 ^(Z)Flower count data were collected over nine weeks from Jan. 20, 2009 to Mar. 17, 2009. Each value represents the mean of eight replicates. ^(Y)The plant quality rating value in Experiment 2 was the mean of eight replicates over three times (Jan. 20, Feb. 3, and Feb. 17, 2009).

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

‘UFGE 7023’ is distinguished by its very sturdy flower.

Literature Cited

Hausbeck, M. K., W. R. Quackenbush, and S. D. Linderman. 2002. Evaluation of cultivars of African daisy for resistance to powdery mildew, 2002. B&C Tests 18:O0004. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named ‘UFGE 7023’, as illustrated and described herein. 